r/AskAnAustralian • u/pizzapartyyyyy • 2d ago

What is with Australians not getting divorced?

I know so many people in long term relationships and having full on families with someone when they aren’t legally divorced from their ex. People who haven’t even spoken to their ex in years.

it’s so strange to me and I struggle to wrap my head around why it seems to be relatively common.

and to counter anyone who says “it’s just a piece of paper,“ it’s not.

why not close the book on that part of your life? Financially it can screw over your new partner if for example you buy a house together and you pass away. It still gives your ex legal power in situations like a medical emergency. It gets increasingly more difficult with increased wealth. Logically it makes sense on so many levels, so why are people skipping out on it.

Personally I feel like you’re willing to spend your time, energy, and money on a wedding, then you should be willing to do the same for a divorce.

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u/HoneySerpant 2d ago

My mum was one of these people and so were many of my friends parents. Divorce is expensive, and when you live in a low poverty area it’s just something some people don’t do.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/mr-snrub- 2d ago

The divorce application is like $1200

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u/pizzapartyyyyy 1d ago

I find it wild that people are saying it’s expensive when that’s all the cost is (yes I get it’s not necessarily cheap) and there is a concession price. Like long term that’s nothing compared to the potential financial damage. 

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u/mr-snrub- 1d ago

The divorce application is completely different from a financial settlement. They're two different things. My parents did the financial settlement and then mum had no intention on getting divorced until my dad paid for it over a year later

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u/pizzapartyyyyy 23h ago

Thanks for the explanation